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SUNNY Temp: 90 °F Wind: N at 4 mph Wednesday, June 25, 2003 SECTIONS Home Page Local News Sports Business Obituaries Life Opinion - Politics AP News Weather Classified Archives Site Map EXTRA HomeLife Magazine W3 Magazine Jobs @ Mail Tribune Tempo A & E Oregon CarZone Wellness Connection Real Estate Newspaper in Education Prime Times Outdoor Journal Personals Movie Times TV Times E The People CLASSIFIEDS Find a Car Find a Home Find a Job Find Everything E SOUTHERN OREGON Automotive Communities Entertainment Publications Recreation Calendar ABOUT US FAQ What's New Advertise Home Delivery Classified Ad Contact Us Media Kit Email Story to a Friend May 15, 2003 Medford airport gets $2 million Federal transportation money will go toward strengthening aging aircraft parking areas By DAMIAN MANN Mail Tribune Medford has received the largest share of almost $8 million in federal funds awarded to 14 airports in Oregon Wednesday. More than $2 million was earmarked for the Rogue Valley International-Medford Airport from the U.S. Department of Transportation as part of a nationwide effort to improve airport infrastructure and safety. "Medford received the highest amount of any airport in Oregon," said Caroline Mullen, a spokesperson for Sen. Gordon Smith, R-Ore. The money will be used to replace aging and unsafe tarmac in the apron area where cargo and private planes park. It also will pay for the resurfacing of 3,000 feet of taxiway. Advertisement Airport director Bern Case said some portions of the 30-year-old apron are off-limits to the heavier aircraft because of fears the asphalt won’t support them. "It starts to sink in the summer," he said. "Contrary to what everybody thinks, asphalt is pliable. You don’t want to put an 80,000- to 90,000- pound Gulfstream on it." The new apron will have thicker asphalt and a concrete area for the heavier planes, he said. With large cracks and more weeds growing through the apron area than ever before, the airport has been forced to make Band-Aid repairs on this area, he said. "Some airplanes have to park in a precise area," he said. "We don’t dare let a Learjet go there." The tarmac where passenger planes park was resurfaced about five years ago, he noted. The federal money will also pay to resurface the remaining portion of the 8,000-foot taxiway. About 5,000 feet of it was added four years ago on the northern and southern portions, leaving the middle area narrower, making it somewhat confusing visually for pilots, he said. "This is the last section of the taxiway that will brought up to full standard," said Case. The design work should be completed in 45 days, and work on the airport should begin by August. "This is the busiest portion of the airport," said Case. "This is where small freighters, UPS and Mercy Flights go." Senators Smith and Ron Wyden (D-Ore.) said the funds will help improve the infrastructure and safety of the airport. "Airports are economic lifelines to Oregon’s rural communities, and Medford is no exception," said Smith. Wyden said, "This funding will help improve both safety and efficiency." In 2001, 221,320 planes used this portion of the airport, and Case thinks the improvements will help pave the way for anticipated increases in traffic. Much of the work will not be apparent to most passengers because the resurfacing will take place northwest of the terminal near the Jet Center. Case said the surfaces will be ground down where possible, or completely dug out and replaced. Plans are also in the works to create a new, taller terminal building at the airport, but the funding hasn’t been secured yet, he said. "The other airports in the state have done renovations, and it’s time for us to do it," said Case. Reach reporter Damian Mann at 776-4476, or e-mail [email protected] Printer Friendly Version Email Story to a Friend Subscribe Archive: Click to Search Mail Tribune Home Local News | Sports | Business | Obituaries | Life Opinion - Politics | AP News | Archives | Site Map E Southern Oregon | Classified Copyright © 1997-2003 Mail Tribune. All rights reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms & Conditions Website Feedback A D V E R T I S E R S SPECIAL SECTIONS Rogue Valley Auto Finder Rogue Valley Job Finder --> Rogue Valley Home Finder Joy Magazine Homelife Magazine Tempo Real Estate Showcase Food for Thought Hike of the Week Wellness Connection Outdoor Journal Moving to Southern Oregon? Volunteer Openings Prime Times